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Let's say you're a furniture dealer and you’ve decided to
sell your products online. What sort of web business
model is most suitable for you?
Web business models differ as to the kind of skills and the
specific responsibilities involved. Each model also has a
particular source of profit. The three most common web
business models are:
=>selling physical products
=>offering services
=>information delivery.
Product Sales
This is the web business model that comes to people’s mind
most easily thanks to major product sales sites like
amazon.com or online malls like neimanmarcus.com. This
model is about selling physical products that the merchant
must ship to his customer upon receiving an online order.
The three main ways to carry on a business under this
model is by web storefront, auction site and online mall (a
site that sells products from different vendors).
Service Sales
Besides selling products, you can also sell services online.
For example, many web designers have their “shops”
which market their web designing service set up in
cyberspace. With the popularity of small businesses,
especially home-based ones, conducting business via the
Internet, there are a number of sites offering services for
web business owners. For instance,
screensaverbranding.com designs a screensaver that you
can offer as a free download to web users to brand and
market your web business. Another example is websites
offering to write your web copy, so that your site is filled
with language and emotion that will entice your
prospects to click on the “buy” button.
Information Delivery
There are several ways, which you can make money by
delivering information online. The most common method is
making people pay in order to view the information you
have posted on your website. This method is used by
major companies such as lexisnexis.com as well as
home based business owners. On the latter, examples
include:
=>Cory Rudl’s “Secrets to their success” site where
customers pay for an online subscription to Cory’s in-depth
interviews of webmasters who have made it. “Making it” is
defined broadly to mean webmasters who have cracked
the search engines to those who make $300,000++ a year.
=>Neil Shearing’s private site that includes amongst
other articles and tools his ad testing reports. These
reports share vital information on where to advertise
online and where not to put your money. Jim Daniels’
private members site that comes with his Make A Living
Online package also has a section reporting on his web
advertising results. See http://adhomebase.com/make-a-living.htm
for more information.
=>The Affiliate Bootcamp, which covers extensively all
angles related to how to earn a paycheck every month
marketing other merchants’ products. For more information,
visit: http://www.AffiliateBootcamp.com/g.o/valtay
Of course, e-commerce possibilities are only limited by the
boundaries of your imagination. And there is no rule
saying that one or two or even all of the above models
cannot be combined. If you come across a model that I
haven't mentioned, you are most welcome to email me
at clientservices@adhomebase.com. I will share your
insights with the other readers together with a plug for
your site too. ;-)
About the Author
Valerie Tay is the editor of BizBytes Newsletter. Written in an easy-reading style, this ezine is packed with practical and powerful tips on building, growing and marketing your business. New subscribers receive a FREE bonus eCourse. http://adhomebase.com/bizbytes.htm
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